HUMDUM- Laiba & Fahad

23| Karachi

"Lekin hum bahar ghumne bhi toh jaayenge!"

She moved him aside and selected a few T-shirts from the closet and packed it in the suitcase.

[MORNING]
Laiba walked out near the car with her bag. Sana looked up from her phone and asked, "tum bhi aa rahi ho?"
Laiba smiled and nodded.
Sana smiled back. But her face clearly showed she wasn't happy with Laiba coming.
Fahad joined them wearing a sleek black shirt and glasses.
Insia asks Fahad if everything is done, referring to the preparations for the trip.
"Haan ammi..sab hogaya hai..hotel booking bhi kardi hai"

Sana looked towards him. "Fahad tum ghar nahi aa rahe?"

"Nahi..main aur Laiba hotel mein rahenge" He replied.
Laiba looked at him and Sana's face fell.
Jiya hugged Laiba and mouthed an "enjoy". Laiba smiled. Insia asked them to take care and wished them a safe journey as they left.

FAHAD
We reached Karachi by 1pm. We checked into our hotel, dropped off our bags and decided to head out for lunch. I had a meeting to attend right after that so I left Laiba in the room.

7:05 pm
The meeting had taken longer than expected and I got caught up meeting a friend afterwards. I couldn't help but wonder what Laiba must be doing. As the door opened, I looked at her zipping the suitcase. She looked at me, more like glared at me and then took her purse. A mix of confusion and surprise took over me.

"Kya hua?"
She tried to walk away.
"Kaha jaa rahi ho?"

"Bahar"
"Bag..kyu..?" I asked looking at the suitcase.
"Kyunki ab main akele Karachi ghumungi. tum karte rehna apne meetings.."

I realised she was upset over me being late. I felt a pang of guilt.
"Listen..I'm sorr-"

"Aisi konsi meeting hai jo dopehar se lekar raat tak chalti hai haan?" She asked angrily.

"Accha sorry naa.." I said as I gripped her hand.

"Kal pura din main tumhe Karachi ghumaunga, I promise.
Tum mujhe 5 minute do mein abhi fresh hoke aata hoon, phir hum kisi acchi jagah dinner karne jaayenge"
Her eyes softened and she nodded.

**************

[RESTAURANT]
"Ji..thik hai chachi" I said on the call as Laiba and I settled in. She raised her eyebrows and gave me a curious look asking what chachi told.

"Unhone kal hum dono ko ghar bulaya hai, lunch ke liye"

"Hmm..Ek baat puchu?"
"Haan" I replied looking at my phone.
"Tum aur tumhare chachu pehle se hi alag rehte the?" I looked at her.
I mean..agar woh dono Karachi mein rehte hai..toh Sana kyun Hyderbad mein tum logo ke saath rehti hai?"

I let out a sigh and leaned in.
"Pehle hum sab ek saath Hyderbad mein rehte the. Baba ki death ke baad..chachu ne business par takeover karne ki koshish ki, jiski wajah se Ammi aur unke beech bohot problems hue..aur unhone Karachi mein apna khud ka branch start kiya.."

"Aaj bhi hum baat karte hai..lekin itne qareeb nahi hai ek dusre ke.."

"Hmmm" she said listening carefully.

"Aur isliye Ammi nahi chahti thi..ke meri shadi Sana se ho..kyunki woh chachu ke iraaday jaanti thi"

"Lekin Sana kyun unke saath nahi rehti???" She asked curiously.